Most collegiate athletic teams face several questions heading into their seasons. Injuries, departures and new arrivals always fill the minds of story-seeking journalists in the weeks leading up to kickoff, tip-off or first pitch. The LSU men’s basketball team has certainly fielded its fair share of questions.Coach Trent Johnson refers to some of his questionable players as “The Unknowns.” More specifically, Johnson talks about these unknowns at the power forward position, where the Tigers appear to be dreadfully thin with senior Tasmin Mitchell playing more small forward this season. “Then you have the unknowns, outside of Chris Bass,” Johnson said. “I’m talking about up front on our front line.”Two guys who will be counted upon to fill minimal, yet vital roles are sophomore Garrett Green and redshirt freshman Dennis Harris. Green missed all of last season with an injury after playing 25 games his freshman season under former LSU coach John Brady. Harris, on the other hand, missed his freshman season after being redshirted. Harris has not seen action in a regular season game as a Tiger.GREEN TRYING TO STAY HEALTHYMost college basketball players endure countless hours of practices and workouts during their respective collegiate careers. It’s usually nothing special. For Green, getting through one workout has been epic progress. Green, the talented but oft-injured sophomore, missed the entire 2008-2009 season with a myriad of back injuries. “Garrett Green was able to get through a 45-minute, three-quarter-speed individual workout, which is monumental for him,” Johnson said with a chuckle.The 6-foot-11 inch, 230-pound forward said he is still not at full health and continues a vigorous rehab schedule to mend his ailing back. “I’m not really having pain in my spine where I had surgery, but I am having pain in lower parts with muscles that haven’t been built,” Green said. “They’re just started to get worked out, and they’re sore.”Johnson declined to assess what Green’s role will be this upcoming season. For any role to be acquired, Green must actually be able to play. “Well, first of all from Garrett’s standpoint, he’s got to get healthy,” Johnson said. “He’s got to prove he can be out there without having any setbacks. Physically, he’s got to be out there.”HARRIS WORKING ON MENTAL SIDE OF GAMEHarris has all the physical tools. At 6 feet 10 inches and 190 pounds, the Jonesboro, Ga., native has a skill set Johnson said is similar to former Tiger Chris Johnson’s.Harris starred at Mundy’s Mill High School in Jonesboro, averaging 21.5 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks per game for the Tigers his senior season. Johnson decided to redshirt Harris last season to save his eligibility for a future that would see Chris Johnson and Quintin Thornton vacant from the roster. Trent Johnson’s main concern for Harris, besides a skinny frame, is his mental fortitude and memory of the plays. “For Dennis, he needs to understand what we’re doing offensively and defensively,” Johnson said. “There’s a word we use in athletics called trust. It has nothing to do with a guy’s ability to make plays or a guy’s skill set. It has something to do with when we’re running a play, you won’t break down and you’ll know exactly what we’re doing. It’s simple: It’s called trust, and it’s called execution.”Harris is certainly aware of Johnson’s criticisms. “My role is going to be getting trust from coach Johnson,” Harris said. “I think I have to show Coach that I am a versatile player. I have no doubt in my mind that I can make an impact on this team.”Harris’ high school coach at Mundy’s Mill, Tu Willingham, dismissed Johnson’s comments as a strategy to keep Harris’ ego in check. Willingham said he talks to Harris every Sunday night and labeled him “a student of the game.””You can go to Kansas, you can go to North Carolina and the coaches are going to be critical of all their players,” Willingham said. “I would just say that was an average, par-for-the-course comment.”Willingham went further and said Johnson’s assessment of Harris couldn’t have been further from the truth. “That is totally uncharacteristic of him [Harris],” Willingham said. “He is one of the most focused and dedicated players I’ve ever coached.”–Contact Chris Branch at [email protected]
Men’s Basketball: Green, Harris hope to quash lingering questions
November 2, 2009